Many Austinites call the Number 19 Capital Metro bus route our lifeline as it takes us to and from our destinations each day. We come from varying walks of life and have a range of reasons for taking this bus. We are students, professionals, volunteers, retirees, the homeless, and recently settled refugees from countries in conflict. Some of us are disadvantaged or disabled; some of us choose to ride the bus out of a concern for the environment, a cause Austin's Mayor Adler has urged citizens to consider. Some of us simply find taking public transportation downtown to be less stressful than driving in traffic. Most importantly, we are a community. The Number 19 bus route is vital to our well-being. We urge Capital Metro's Board of Directors to take the 19 off its list for possible elimination as part of its Connections 2025 plan.